Snickers Workwear Magazine 1 Women’s Special I Hanna Nilsson Was it during thi
s work placement that you seriously started thinking about what sustainability involves? No, I started thinking about smart resource utilisation, organic materials and the natural ecocycle at an early stage. I spent a year travelling around Europe before I became an architect. I visited organic farms and met some like-minded individuals who were also looking for a sensible way to live. How sensible is clay as a construction material? Clay is fantastic in all regards. It’s cheap, it’s easy to combine with organic material, and it’s not corrosive or allergenic. It’s almost always available nearby, too, which means short transport distances. Practically every village here on Öland has its own clay quarry. I recently restored a staircase in my own home village of Gärdslösa. Quite simply, I was able to get hold of the same clay that was used to create the staircase 150 years ago. That tells you something about the sustainability and availability of the material. I see you’re using clay on the walls as well? I’m sealing against draughts using a clay-based mortar. This provides a healthy indoor environment. The clay plaster stabilises ambient humidity while also absorbing dust particles. What’s the clay mixture made of? Various products taken directly from nature: Clay, sand, straw, water and manure from cows or horses. It’s beautiful A white mat consisting of kaolin (a kind of mineral wool) is secured around the core of the oven. This mat forms a heat-resistant movement joint that allows the body of the oven to move in relation to the outer shell. This prevents cracking during firing. to think that a clay house that’s left to decay will completely return to nature over time. With no negative impact on the environment. This reinvented restoration method is very interesting in the current hunt for energy and search for cheap and wholesome construction materials. What are your thoughts on workwear? I want to be able to look forward to a long career as a clay builder. It’s hard work. Your clothes have to work with you. So if your kneepads don’t stay in place, that’s just not good enough. Or if your jacket doesn’t fit properly because it’s actually a men’s jacket in a small size. And of course, quality is every bit as important. Today’s throwaway attitude towards clothing isn’t sustainable for the environment. Quality garments designed to last a long time – that’s what I call sustainable workwear. 26 autumn/winter 2018 I Snickers Workwear